Travel Unity is looking for 2027 Regional Summit hosts
Interested in Hosting a Travel Unity Regional Summit in 2027? Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): bit.ly/TravelUnitySummitEOI Travel Unity is now accepting Expressions of Interest from destinations and organizations anywhere in the world interested in hosting a Travel Unity Regional Summit in 2027. Travel Unity is a New York-based NGO founded in 2016 that works to make travel more welcoming to everyone. We work across the travel industry through standards and certification, education and professional development, workforce programs, partnerships, and events. Our Regional Summits bring that work directly into communities, creating space for local and regional stakeholders to connect around the opportunities and challenges that matter where they are. Regional Summit Format The core Regional Summit combines speakers, panels, facilitated dialogue, and hands-on sessions focused on issues connected to the pillars of Travel Unity’s Standards: leadership & workforce, community, and travelers. A typical Summit includes: Day 1: Local roundtables and Opening Reception Day 2: Morning plenary, networking lunch, and afternoon breakouts Day 3: Half-day of deeper dive content We can also expand the Summit based on the host community, with additional workshops, youth programming, workforce activities, inclusive press trips, destination experiences, and other locally relevant components. What we’re looking for We are interested in more than a place to hold an event. We want to work with local partners interested in bringing these conversations to their communities. Our planning process centers local priorities, challenges, and perspectives in shaping the Summit. Travel Unity also brings a global network to these events, and we aim for a strong mix of local, regional, and global participants. Strong candidates will be ready to help us build local participation, connect with relevant partners, and bring a diverse range of people into the room. Completing an Expression of Interest At the Expression of Interest stage, you do not need a complete proposal. The EOI asks for: Why your destination is a strong fit for a Travel Unity Regional Summit Potential local speakers and partners, including organizations, communities, employers, and educators Local opportunities or challenges that could help shape the Summit Venue and accessibility considerations Potential financial, in-kind, promotional, community, or programmatic support The hosting fee for 2027 is $20,000 per Regional Summit in the United States and Canada and $25,000 elsewhere in the world. The hosting fee does not include venue, food and beverage, Travel Unity travel and lodging, or other local hosting costs, which are the responsibility of the host. Selected hosts must also be organizational members of the Travel Unity Alliance and cover a required planning site visit for up to three Travel Unity representatives. Full requirements are available here. EOI -> RFP The EOI is the first stage of the process. Travel Unity will review submissions and invite selected organizations to respond to a full RFP. The RFP will go into greater detail around proposed dates, venues, accommodations, transportation, accessibility, local partnerships, host commitments, and other event logistics. We may also hold conversations with prospective hosts before making final selections. Consideration deadlines For Spring 2027 Regional Summits: Submit an EOI by September 18, 2026. Selected organizations are expected to receive the full RFP by September 25, with proposals due October 23 and host selections anticipated by November 13. For Fall 2027 Regional Summits: Submit an EOI by November 13, 2026. Selected organizations are expected to receive the full RFP by November 20, with proposals due January 8, 2027 and host selections anticipated by January 29, 2027 Looking beyond 2027? We welcome EOIs for 2028 and beyond. Travel Unity may also pursue Regional Summit opportunities outside this EOI/RFP process. Interested in bringing a Travel Unity Regional Summit to your community? Organizations anywhere in the world are welcome to submit. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): bit.ly/TravelUnitySummitEOI Questions? E-mail [email protected] or call +1 (212) 923-7704